Breed library

Maltese

Also known as Maltese dog, Maltese terrier.

Maltese photograph.
Maltese 600.jpg - Sannse. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maltese_600.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

Maltese dog refers both to an ancient variety of dwarf, white-coated dog breed from Italy and generally associated also with the island of Malta, and to a modern breed of similar dogs in the toy group, genetically related to the Bichon, Bolognese, and Havanese breeds. The precise link, if any, between the modern and ancient breeds is not known. Nicholas Cutillo suggested that Maltese dogs might descend from spitz-type canines, and that the ancient variety probably was similar to the latter Pomeranian breeds with their short snout, pricked ears, and bulbous heads. The modern variety traditionally has a silky, pure-white coat, hanging ears and a tail that curves over its back, and weighs up to 3 - 4 kg. The Maltese does not shed. The Maltese is kept for companionship, ornament, or competitive exhibition.

Breed facts

  • Maltese dog refers both to an ancient variety of dwarf, white-coated dog breed from Italy and generally associated also with the island of Malta, and to a modern breed of similar dogs in the toy group, genetically related to the Bichon, Bolognese, and Havanese breeds.
  • The precise link, if any, between the modern and ancient breeds is not known.
  • The modern variety traditionally has a silky, pure-white coat, hanging ears and a tail that curves over its back, and weighs up to 3 - 4 kg.
  • The Maltese is kept for companionship, ornament, or competitive exhibition.
  • The old variety of Maltese appears to have been the most common or favourite pet, or certainly household dog, in antiquity.

Size and appearance

The breed may be prone to health problems such as liver and heart issues, and Luxating patella. They should be checked for conditions like "Patent Ductus Arteriosus". Hence, some people with dog allergies may be able to tolerate living with a Maltese as they shed less fur.

  • Body mass reference: Up to 4 kgBreed reference body mass. maximum.
  • Body mass reference: 3 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 23 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 20 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 25 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 21 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Height category: short
  • Weight category: toy

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.23 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.58 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 1.24 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 1.14 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.03 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.33 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.52 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.93 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.33 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.98 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.99 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.89 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 1.17 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Maltese.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.30 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Maltese.

Exercise and activities

The Maltese is kept for companionship, for ornament, or for competitive exhibition.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat layers: double

Health and lifespan

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.1 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds. A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 11 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.

  • Lifespan reference: 15 yearsBreed reference lifespan years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

On one Attic amphora from about 500 BC, excavated at Vulci in the nineteenth century and now lost, an illustration of a small dog with a pointed muzzle is accompanied by the word μελιταῖε, melitaie. Ancient writers variously attribute its origin either to the island of Malta in the Mediterranean, called Melita in Latin, - a name which derives from the Carthaginian city of that name on the island, Melite - or to the Adriatic island of Mljet, near Corfu and off the Dalmatian coast of modern Croatia, also called Melita in Latin.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  2. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  3. File:Maltese 600.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Maltese 600.jpg - Sannse. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maltese_600.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
  4. Maltese dog - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Maltese dog, revision 1379245920. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maltese_dog&action=history
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.